News

Menno Haven Wins Environments of Aging Award

Menno Haven is proud to announce that the new Rehabilitation Center has recently won an Environments for Aging Design Showcase Award! This is a prestigious award in the senior living industry.

Each year, Environments for Aging, a national trade publication in the Senior Living industry judges’ entries from architects, developers, designers, and operators from across the globe. This year, there were 54 submissions including Menno Haven’s Rehabilitation Center which is still under construction. Menno Haven was one of just six submissions selected to be given this award.

Hugh Davis, CEO of Menno Haven says, “From the moment you enter the front door you will know this place is different.” For this building, Menno Haven chose to pursue the WELL Building certification. “WELL design incorporates research-based elements intended to promote the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of guests,” said Scott Pfeifer, the building’s lead architect. “We realized early in the design process that the WELL certification aligned closely with Menno Haven’s vision for this project and provided a great roadmap for ensuring the building was designed with the utmost consideration for the well-being of the people who will occupy it.” A few examples of elements included in the building to achieve this certification are the UV lamps in HVAC cooling coils to ensure the best air quality; whole-building water filters; abundant natural light throughout the building; and a lighting system designed to provide minimal interference with circadian rhythms.

The WELL certification will additionally impact the healthfulness of the food served in the building, as well as details such as the types of desks to be used in offices to promote ergonomic wellbeing of the team members.

“We are really excited about the WELL certification,” says Davis. “It is my understanding that this will be one of the first projects in the senior living industry nationwide to receive this certification!”

The Rehabilitation Center project is part of Project GENESIS, Menno Haven’s 5-year strategic plan that will include the investment of over $100M in their communities in Chambersburg. Project GENESIS will include the Rehabilitation Center, replacing the original 1964 nursing home, the addition of a 35,000 square ft. Resident Life Center, the addition of Memory Care Houses, and new independent living cottages. Menno Haven expects to break ground on the balance of those projects later in 2018 and 2019.

“ElderDay for us has been a safe and caring activity center for my husband who has Alzheimer’s and a congenial environment for him as well. It also gives me time to run our household and for me to continue my own activities during my retirement years. The ElderDay staff are truly amazing caregivers!”